RICHLANDS, N.C. — Onslow County sheriff's deputies say a Marine has been charged with shooting and killing his wife at home.

The sheriff's office said deputies were called to a home near Richlands around 9:45 p.m. Sunday. Richlands is about 100 miles east of Fayetteville, NC.

Deputies said 31-year-old Jordan Skaggs, formerly Jordan Peters of northern Augusta County, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. The mother of three graduated from Fort Defiance High School in 2001.

Christopher Michael Skaggs, 32, is charged with an open count of murder and being held without bail in the Onslow County Jail.

Amanda Barnhart, a neighbor who lives across the street from the Skaggs, described Jordan Skaggs as a "great mom" who was "always happy and outside with the kids," in speaking with JDNews.com

Another neighbor, Rebecca Denatos told JDNews.com: "She was very happy and always with her children."

Deputies said a gun was recovered at the scene. Sheriff Ed Brown said the couple had three children who were next door swimming when the shooting occurred. The children are now in the care of the Onslow County Social Services.

Sheriff Brown told WCTI that there had been a history of abuse during their six-year marriage.

The Marine Corps says Skaggs is a sergeant on the staff of the School of Infantry East at Camp Geiger at New River Air Station. He was served in Iraq and Afghanistan three times from 2007 through 2011 and awarded numerous awards and medals.